Bailey's love for jumping

Bailey loves to swim in my friend, Sally's, pool.  I think she prefers to swim in a pool than in a lake.  Her favorite activity is jumping into the pool.  I need to get her into a dock jumping competition.  Here is a picture of her practically jumping on me, while taking a photo of her from the pool.  Photo taken this past weekend.

The Dakota 10- Chesapeake Bay Retrievers who need help

Through my work with Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief and Rescue I recently got word that 10 Chessie pups have been rescued in South Dakota.  All of them are sick and need care.  CBRR&R now as custody of the dogs and will get their medical needs taken care of.  Volunteers from the midwest coordinated the rescue and are now working toward improving the health of the dogs.  If anyone is interested in learning more about the Dakota 10 please check out this link: http://www.cbrrescue.org/Midwest10/saving_midwest_dogs.htm  

If you can't go to the link, go to www.cbrrescue.org  

There are 8 more chessies in a horrible situation farther south.  We/the organization are working on rescuing these pups as well.  If anyone can spare $5, $10, or more dollars to donate toward the care of these 18 chessies, our organization would greatly appreciate it.  Information on donating is also at our website, www.cbrrescue.org

United Arab Emirates- Abu Dhabi Transfer

Our neighbors (not the ones who constantly watch the dogs, but the ones our dogs constantly bother) are moving to Abu Dhabi. The husband's job transferred him to Abu Dhabi for 3-5 years.... AND, he had a choice whether to go. Both Joseph and I said we would never want to live there, even temporarily. The neighbors just purchased a 2009 porsche and now have to sell it. They are selling pretty much everything, except their double jog stroller. Average temperatures in UAE/Abu Dhabi are about 115 degrees F in the summer months with about 100% humidity. I've researched Abu Dhabi quite a bit since finding out our neighbors are moving there.... The location is beautiful... right on the Arabic Gulf. That said, I still would never move there, even for millions of dollars. I don't think that I could adapt. Plus, I couldn't leave the dogs. Would you move there? If the answer is "yes", how much would someone have to pay you? Are you in the market for a new car? If so, and you want a slightly used porsche, let me know!!! There is also a very blue Volvo wagon for sale, which looks brand new but is a few years old.

Bailey and Joseph Snoozing

Last night Joseph and Bailey fell asleep on the couch.  Given Bailey's hilarious sleeping position I had to grab my camera and get a picture of the two of them.  Neither of them budged in response to the flash on my camera.  They just kept on sleeping.

Jedi hanging out with his sisters

Here are a few pics of Jedi with his sisters, taken yesterday.  He loves to hang out with them.  To do so, though, he has to have his Hannibal Lector mask on!!!  Going for walks is a different story. I can prevent him from biting on a walk, but "free play" is a different story.

Jedi and his mask

This picture indicates the reason for Jedi's mask.  He cannot tolerate Bailey being near him.  As you can see, he has his head turned to the side, trying his hardest to avoid a confrontation.  That said, if Bailey were to make a move any closer to him he would attack.  Jedi can breathe regularly, drink water, and eat treats with his mask on.  

One year ago- Bonnaroo Memories

As many of you know, Joseph and I went to the music festival, Bonnaroo, last year.  We debated on going again this year, but decided against it, given the fact that I am fat, pregnant, intolerant of the heat, and uncomfortable on my feet for hours and hours.  We had such a great time last year listening to the music and making new friends.  One of the people we met is now working in Afghanistan working as an agricultural specialist.  After viewing his pictures he sent posted on Flickr, I wanted to go back to my pictures taken from Bonnaroo 2008 and reminisce.  I came across this picture, which reminds me what is like to be skinny and in shape.  How a year can make a difference!!! Of course, it's natural to gain weight when you're pregnant.  It just shocked me how much different I look and how much weight I have really gained.  Wow.  

Baby's 5th concert

Joseph and I went to see the band, Rusted Root, play at the Handlebar, in Greenville, SC.  I felt like crap, due to having a horrible cold, and Joseph felt tired from work, but we went anyway.  (We had already purchased the tickets).  Rusted Root was great live.  They played a mixture of their old & new stuff.  They finished the show with the songs, "Send Me On My Way", and "Ecstasy".  The broadway show, STOMP, is in town and several performers from STOMP came on stage to play along with the band during "Ecstasy".  It was awesome.  Seeing Rusted Root took me back to my college days.  Glad to see they are still around and still sound great.

33 WEEK PREGNANCY PHOTO

I almost forgot,  here I am as a whale.....

Baby Shower/ 33 week photo

I had a baby shower in Greenville this past weekend and one in Charlotte, on May 24th.  Several people traveled from far away to come to the one in Greenville this past weekend.  Thanks to those who traveled from afar.  The baby shower was very fun and I got some very unique and great baby gifts.  I enjoyed the mix of tennis friends, dog friends, running friends, etc. and family.  I really appreciate the effort guests made to get here.  It was great to see everyone.  Joseph and I hosted 10 people at our house Saturday night.  The house never felt crowded and I really came to enjoy people coming and going all the time.  Our dogs were pretty well behaved and managed to survive the weekend.  Their weekend ended on Monday, with a 4+ mile hike and swim at Paris Mountain State park with Grandpa George and Grandma Karen.  My dad (with his gimpy, fused ankle) surprisingly made it out of the woods ahead of his 33-wk pregnant daughter... I fell way behind the pack.  It was SOOOO FRUSTRATING.  For the first time in my pregnancy I was bothered by the heat, dehydrated, and dealing with swollen hands/fingers.... Apparently, I was developing a cold, because I can't stop blowing my nose and now have a slightly sore throat.  The pictures above, from the bottom, up, are of Angela & Ron (from Charleston), sister-in-law, Chris, and niece Alexa (from NY), Avery & Jess (from Winston-Salem, NC), and Ron, Angela, Kelsey, Rebecca (from Charleston), Alexa (from NY), and Christine (next door neighbor) all playing Guitar Hero on our borrowed Wii!!